Erica Wainwright
Once again, I am completely awed by the incredible creativity and workmanship of a new costumer!
This is Erica's first Elizabethan costume, and she created it by modifying the Simplicity pattern after
researching period portraits and the work of other costumers. And I am very happy to announce that her amazing outfit
has been recognized by the San Bernardino Renaissance Pleasure Faire where she won first place in the
nobility costume contest. Congratulations! You can see a back view of her gown from the
contest here and you can read more details
below this picture. If you would like to contact Erica, you can find her at redrumups(at)yahoo(dot)com.
- I made the entire outfit including all the beadwork
(over 400 pearls on the sleeves, totaling in
excess of 30 hours work), as well as the fan,
my pouch with an antique medallion and the hat
which I finished at 3am the morning of the contest
- I lowered the original neckline and took out the
busty curve in the bodice to give it a straighter
Elizabethan shape.
- I also changed the partlet, as I am married and
would not have worn the open partlet in the
pattern.
- I also did away with the false puff sleeves. I
made mine based on a portrait of a child named
Bia. It's hard to tell in the photos, but they
are gathered and sewn down in 3 horizontal lines
across the sleeves.
- I also took out the zipper and made grommet lacing
down the back, and then, since I didn't want the
metal to show, I painstakingly hand sewed black
thread around each ring.
- The black velvet overskirt has velvet ribbon ties
on each side to close it over the brocade and thanks
to another of your sites, I have Elizabethan bows
on them!
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